Wozniacki oozes menace

Melbourne - Caroline Wozniacki, searching for her maiden grand slam title, thrashed local hope Anastasia Rodionova 6-2 6-1 at the Australian Open to silence the night crowd in Monday's last match at the Rod Laver Arena.

Dressed in red and oozing menace, the world number one from Denmark quickly broke the 103rd-ranked Australian's serve and then her spirit as she bullied her from the baseline to win their first-round match in 76 minutes.

Rodionova, who cursed and muttered throughout, permitted herself a wry smile as ironic cheers rang out when she held serve to trail 5-1 in the second set.

That proved, however, a brief delay in Wozniacki's march as she served out for victory in the next game, sealing it when the Australian hit the ball long on match-point.